Iranian Sports Minister Ahmad Donyamali stated on the 11th that after the United States and Israel jointly launched airstrikes against Iran, resulting in the death of Supreme Leader Khamenei, Iran will be unable to participate in the 2026 World Cup.
Donyamali said on Iranian national television: "Given that this corrupt regime has assassinated our leader, under no circumstances can we participate in the World Cup."
"Our children are not safe; fundamentally, the conditions to take part in such an event do not exist."
"In light of these malicious actions taken against Iran, imposing two wars on us within eight or nine months and killing and martyring tens of thousands of our people, of course we cannot attend such a tournament."
The 2026 World Cup will be held from June 11 to July 19 in the United States, Mexico, and Canada. However, Iran's three group matches are all scheduled to take place in the United States, with two in Los Angeles and one in Seattle. In the group drawing held last December, Iran was placed in Group G alongside Belgium, Egypt, and New Zealand.